Posts Tagged ‘pony
Western?
One of my items on my “to accomplish” list this year is to take a Western Lesson. I “semi” completed that on Monday when I took Boomerang to a “Western” lesson at a local western barn. (I told you I waste no time!) I only say I semi-completed this goal because although I started learning the beginnings to rollbacks and sidepassing, I cheated and rode in my English tack. In my defense Boomer hadn’t been ridden in over a month (except for the few days before the lesson) and I KNEW there would be some bucking involved, and I felt more comfortable hanging on for the ride in my english tack. (P.S. I was right, and he threw more than a few bronco bucks….thanks for making me look bad Boomer!)
Anyway, I’ll check this one off the list officially when I saddle up in the Western saddle! (Perhaps next week)
One of my main motivators for taking Western Lessons is the Extreme Cowboy Race. Also, I just think it will make Boomerang a better all-around pony.
When I originally made my Western Lesson goal I was thinking – that would be great to try since I’ve never done it before. Only after a few days did I remember I HAVE TRIED IT!
It had totally slipped my mind that for a semester in college I was on the Kutztown Equestrian Team. Not only did I try my hand at Hunters…
But I also tried a little Western Pleasure riding too…
Admittedly I only lasted a semester because it wasn’t “exactly” what I thought it would be. While it was great fun meeting new people, taking riding lessons at school, and trying something I had never done – the whole Hunter/Western Pleasure thing wasn’t really for me.
I felt like I was frozen when I rode around in the Hunter arena, and I had the hardest time getting rid of what the team called “Dressage Bobble Head” – too long in the Dressage saddle didn’t really help my hunter position either. It felt so strange! Thinking Western had to be WAY better I pictured barrel racing, reining, and team penning – I was not expecting to be caked with makeup and made to wear an outfit that itched – and god forbid my chaps touched the ground!
Not that there is anything wrong with that type of riding, I just discovered that it wasn’t really for me. I’m so glad I tried it though, I think it helped make me a better rider. I rode LOTS and LOTS of horses, and I broke out of my comfort zone.
I’m very much looking forward to a little more “rough and tumble” western riding though. Who knows what will happen next, maybe I’ll try team penning or even reining! How cool!
What about you, have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and tried something new? Maybe 2011 is your chance to do something new with your horse! You can do it!
In the meantime, I’ll try to update on my Western Progress….maybe I should get a cowboy hat!
Let the Training Begin
Sometimes I feel like I’m in the movie Inception. I get “implanted” with these crazy ideas and it’s all I can think about.
Right now, it’s the Extreme Cowboy Race. A timed event that tests you and your horse’s ability to navigate obstacles (like bridges, dragging objects, and opening gated) and perform western moves (roll backs, sidepassing, lead changes). I spotted the event several months ago and it’s all I’ve been able to think about. It’s probably safe to say it’s been put on my Bucket List – as one of my must do things in my lifetime.
And wouldn’t you know, in a little less than two months there will be an Extreme Cowboy Race held at the Horse World Expo in Harrisburgh, PA, for the first time ever – that’s about an hour and half from me. Way too close for me not to be really really tempted to enter.
It is this sole reason that I took poor unsuspecting Boomerang from this:
To this:
It is also the reason I borrowed a Western Saddle.
And the reason I took Boomerang to his first Western lesson on Monday. I think I must be crazy.
See the idea of the Extreme Cowboy Race is so exciting to me! I want to try something I’ve never done before, I want to challenge my pony and myself, I want to see if we can do it. But then I remember I am an english rider, I grew up competing in Dressage, Boomerang is still very young and immature, and it makes me nervous just THINKING about how many people would be watching me at the Expo. Are we really ready?
If it wasn’t for the HEFTY entry fee, not to mention stabling, hotel fees, transportation, lesson fees, being away from work, and the short time I have to get ready – probably there would be NO question, and I’d throw my hands in the air and say what the heck do I have to loose? But the reality is that I don’t want to spend all my time, money, resources on something I think I’m only half ready for. I want to succeed. I want to enter the arena KNOWING that we’re ready for this. KNOWING that Boomer is ready for this.
And we might be. Maybe.
I’m going to continue working Boomerang. Taking him to lessons, practicing at home, perhaps swimming him in the indoor track pool for race horses – whatever it takes to push ourselves to maybe, just maybe, be ready.
And if all else fails. I discovered the American Trail Horse Competition. Boomer is going to kill me.
2011 Trick Pony Goals
Last year I made a list of goals I wanted to accomplish with the trick ponies, hoping that by writing them down it would really help me to complete them. My plan worked! Because I completed all but one of my ten goals last year, I think I can pat myself on the back for that one!
Here’s a little recap of last year’s goals:
1. Teach Minnow to rear CHECK
2. Teach Blitz and Boomer to lay down on command CHECK for Boomer
3. Finish teaching Ammo and Boomer to paint CHECK (Ammo learned to make scratch art)
4. Come up with a new skit for Minnow to perform CHECK a performance of dueling super hero’s with Ammo
5. Make a new video of all of the trick ponies (and the Dachshund) performing CHECK thanks to my talented brother
6. Move Boomer up to compete in the Masters Division in Mounted Games CHECK we competed this past year in masters
7. Take Blitz to a bombproofing clinic/and or some Dressage events
8. Teach Ammo and Minnow some tricks together CHECK seen in their super hero performance
9. Find more venues/performances for Minnow to do – events that raise money for charities would be great. CHECK we attended the Equine Extravaganza, MGAA Nationals, and did several new camp performances.
10. Spend more time doing “nothing” with the boys CHECK
The only thing I didn’t get to do was take Blitz on an outing. Blitz is owned by my mom now, so she spent a lot of last year training him – hopefully this year I will find some time to take him somewhere.
So in keeping with my tradition, I thought I should come up with some new goals for this year. I’m so excited to get started and I have BIG plans for the boys this year.
2011 TRICK PONY GOALS
1. Take some western riding lessons with Boomerang
2. Push myself past my comfort zone and compete in something I’ve never done before
3. Teach Minnow to sit or lay down
4. Fine tune Boomerang’s cues for bow and lay down
5. Train some more tricks using the pedestal
6. Teach Minnow a brand-new trick skit for Pony Penning 2011
7. Teach Ammo the Dachshund a skit he can perform alone
8. Take Blitz on an outing (Dressage, Paperchase, Mounted Games, Tricks, etc)
9. Paint with the boys more often
10. Read a training book (or video) and teach one skill from it
11. Teach Boomerang flying lead changes, rollbacks, and a better sidepass
12. Read Misty of Chincoteague…again! 🙂
Sounds doable right? What are your goals for 2011? Anything I should add?
Fuzzy Ponies & Slow Feeder Bags
I know I’ve kinda been missing for a while. Sorry! Things have gotten insanely busy at my shop for Christmas, much more than I anticipated. Meanwhile the ponies were busy selling paintings for Christmas all over the World! It makes me smile to think of all the people out there that will be unwrapping a fun little surprise from one of the boys on Christmas morning.
And speaking of the ponies, the boys have been busy growing hefty winter coats (hopefully not in anticipation for as much snow as we had last year), and cursing me for buying them slow feeder bags to keep their rolly polly tummies under control! hehe. It’s because I love you boys, please don’t hate me. 🙂
The slow feeder bags are designed to make the ponies eat their hay ration at a slower pace. It helps makes their 2-Flake allowance of hay last much longer – thus keeping them from thinking they are STARVING to death when their hay runs out….which trust me, they are not!
Hopefully the Holiday craziness will settle down soon and I’ll be able to get back to enjoying some time with my boys! I know they are anxiously waiting to find out what tricks they will be learning in 2011!! Woohoo!
CYBER MONDAY SALE!
Don’t forget to head over to the Painting Pony Online Shop today to save 10% off all items on 5AM to 12AM on Tuesday. And as a special thank you to all our loyal blog readers use the coupon code CYBERSALE10 at checkout to receive an additional 10% off!
Painting Pony DVD's make "kids" of all ages smile!
Every Princess needs a pretty little painting by a magical Chincoteague Pony
You don't have to be a Dachshund Lover to appreciate the detail Ammo the Dachshund puts into his artwork!
Holiday Cards made by ponies make everyone smile!
